Upgrading your home's electrical system can seem like an intimidating task. But with a few simple wiring hacks, you can drastically improve your home's electrical capacity and safety without breaking the bank. As a homeowner, being informed about your home's electrical workings is the first step to making smart upgrades. Read on to learn key strategies for enhancing your electrical system yourself.
Conduct a Thorough Assessment of Your Current Wiring
Before doing any electrical work, it's critical to understand exactly what you're working with. Here are some tips for assessing your current wiring:
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Check the electrical panel - Open it up and look at the labeling to see how many amps your system can handle and which circuits go where. Verify it's up to modern code.
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Inspect all visible wiring - Look for cracked or frayed insulation and exposed copper that could indicate a dangerous short. Also check for any loose connections.
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Consider an electrical inspection - Hiring an electrician to inspect your full system can identify issues like overloaded circuits or improper wiring you can't see.
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Check grounding and GFCI outlets - Faulty grounding or lack of GFCI outlets in wet areas are fire and shock hazards. Test them yourself or have an electrician look.
Thoroughly understand your electrical system's current state before altering anything. This prevents creating new issues.
Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
If your home still has an outdated 60 or 100 amp electrical panel, upgrading it provides one of the biggest improvements you can make.
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A 200 amp panel is ideal for most homes under 3000 sq ft. The extra capacity lets you run more high wattage appliances without tripping breakups.
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Consider adding circuit breakers - They provide overcurrent protection missing in outdated fused panels. Breakers are safer and reset easily.
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Upgrade to a main disconnect panel - Having a single switch to cut all power to the panel makes electrical work safer.
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Ask an electrician about load calculation - Doing a load calculation for your home's needs ensures your new panel is sized correctly. Oversizing can be unsafe.
While a bit pricey, upgrading your main electrical panel gives your wiring a major capacity boost.
Strategically Add Electrical Circuits
If your home's electrical demands have expanded, strategically adding circuits can provide more power.
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Run circuits for high draw appliances like dryers, air conditioners, and hot tubs on their own dedicated lines. This prevents tripping breakers.
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Consider a dedicated circuit for each bathroom - They have lots of hair dryers and other devices running at once. Prevent tripping by separating their power.
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Add circuits for workshop or garage spaces - Tools and machinery need steady, ample power. Separating their loads keeps them running smoothly.
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Use 12/2 gauge wiring for 20 amp circuits, 10/2 gauge for 30 amps - Proper wire thickness prevents safety hazards and ensures sufficient power delivery.
Targeting your biggest electrical drains with new circuits tailored to them provides robust power where you need it most.
Improve Safety With GFCI Outlets
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are essential electrical safety upgrades, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements.
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Install GFCI outlets in any wet area - They detect abnormal current flows and trip instantly, preventing serious shocks.
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Use GFCI breakers for entire circuits - GFCI breakers provide protection for all outlets on their circuit, not just individual outlets.
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Test GFCIs monthly - Use the test and reset buttons to ensure they trip when they should.
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Label GFCI protected outlets - Stickers indicate which outlets are on GFCI-protected circuits so you know which have the safety feature.
While minor upgrades, strategic GFCI additions can drastically improve electrical hazard protection for relatively little effort or money.
Replace Outdated Outlets and Switches
If your home still relies on outdated two-prong outlets without a ground, upgrading to modern, grounded three-prong outlets should be a top priority.
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Replace ungrounded outlets with GFCI outlets - They provide protection without rewiring the whole circuit.
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For frequent use outlets, install tamper-resistant (TR) outlets - Their shutters prevent kids from poking objects in.
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In kitchens, install 20 amp outlets on appliance circuits - They provide extra power capacity for countertop small appliances.
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Consider smart switches - They allow control of lights via smartphone, voice assistant, and automation.
While tedious, upgrading all outlets and switches modernizes your home's capabilities and significantly improves electrical safety.
Improve Lighting With Dimmers and LEDs
Improving your home's lighting with dimmers and efficient LED bulbs provides major benefits.
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Install dimmer switches in main living areas - Dimmers enable control over a room's ambiance and save energy by reducing light when possible.
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Swap all bulbs for LEDs - Their superior efficiency slashes lighting power bills by up to 90% over incandescents.
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Add motion sensor lights in garages, closets, and exterior entries - They provide visibility only when needed, improving convenience and efficiency.
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Consider smart bulbs - Adjust colors, dimming, scheduling and control remotely via smartphone or voice with connected smart bulbs.
With simple affordable upgrades like adding dimmers and LEDs, you can make your home's lighting infinitely more customizable and efficient.
While home electrical projects can seem intimidating, little improvements add up to outsized benefits. Use these wiring hacks to get the most power, safety, and convenience out of your home's electrical system.